Founded in 1949 in the heart of San Diego, USD has grown to become a premier institution dedicated to providing academic excellence, Catholic intellectual and social traditions, and a top-notch liberal arts education for scholars of all faiths. USD is committed to the intellectual, spiritual, and overall development of its student body.

USD’s mission captures the values that have made it a prominent Catholic university, a vibrant institution of quality higher education, and an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus.

A USD education combines the vibrancy of the liberal arts with academic rigor in a supportive learning community. USD offers a wide variety of majors and specializations, allowing students to pursue their passions. Faculty members are distinguished scholars and devoted teachers who promote an interactive learning environment.

Faculty collaborate one-on-one with undergraduate and graduate students on research, scholarship and creative activity, allowing students to experience the excitement of original discovery.

USD’s emphasis on academic excellence, intellectual rigor and global citizenship showcases our commitment to each student. USD offers the intellectual environment that will inspire you to begin shaping your future. By becoming a Torero, you are becoming part of the more than 60-year-long history of dedicated Changemakers.

Our students strive for academic excellence and take great pride in serving their communities. At USD, students learn to think critically, act globally and work collaboratively to achieve their full potential.

USD offers students endless opportunities to connect with the campus, the community, and each other. With nearly 200 clubs and organizations, countless sports and residence hall activities, guest lectures, community service opportunities and wellness programs, Toreros have every resource necessary to maximize their USD experience.

USD has an active, thriving campus community. In addition to its sublime setting — enhanced by an average 300 days of sunshine each year — USD offers students an abundance of academic programs, facilities and resources.

Even to the casual eye, it's apparent that the campus runs like a well-oiled machine, in large part due to our hard working team members, all dedicated to making sure that the USD student experience is reflective of the distinctive quality that the university is known for.

More than 1500 full-time and 750 part-time employees worked at USD in 2011, in capacities ranging from faculty to food service to administration to groundskeeper.

The USD community is comprised of many diverse individuals. To assist with the various aspects of personal and professional development, the university provides various offices, programs and services. Gateways provides links to some of the areas that might be of interest to you.

From the moment you step on our beautiful campus you can see that USD is exceptional.

College and Schools

College of Arts and Sciencesis the historic core of the university and, with 31 majors, four masters programs, and 225 full-time faculty, is the largest unit on campus. The College is committed to providing students with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education that echoes its liberal arts tradition and to support students with their academic programs and research aspirations. The intellectual disciplines within the College assist students in developing a coherent, integrated, and rich world view. All USD undergraduates take the College's core curriculum, which exemplifies the intellectual vitality of a liberal arts education. The quality of faculty and students is reflected in the 19 honor and professional societies which include Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board.

School of Business Administration develops socially responsible business leaders with a global mindset and a passion for innovation. The school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the top accrediting body for business schools globally. Bloomberg Businessweek has ranked the school 40th among U.S. undergraduate business programs and 14th among U.S. part-time MBA programs. Bloomberg Businessweek has also given the school's faculty A+ grade for teaching quality in seven consecutive ranking.

Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering offers a unique Bachelor of Sciences/Bachelor of Arts dual degree, the only one in the nation automatically earned by all graduates. Our curriculum emphasizes preparation for work in industry and the development of professionalism and values. Our students become innovators by participating in real-world engineering projects in such fields as alternative energy and health care technology. USD engineering was ranked 14th among non-doctoral engineering programs by U.S.News & World Report.

Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science is a premier private graduate school with a public conscience. The school has been ranked in the top 10 percent of graduate nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report. Our faculty are internationally recognized in their fields and have extensive postgraduate research training. Faculty maintain vigorous programs of research and the school has been awarded the largest research grant in USD history. Our Nursing Clinical Simulation Laboratory is unique in the state of California and provides expert clinical training using cutting-edge technology. On a global level, our alumni are making a profound impact on health in high-level leadership positions in academic and clinical settings.

Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies was founded in 2007 and works for sustainable peace and justice through innovative education, interdisciplinary scholarship, advanced practice and policy engagement. The master’s curriculum in Peace and Justice Studies is interdisciplinary and involves faculty from USD’s other schools as well as utilizing the school’s own core faculty, curriculum, dedicated facility and students. Areas of focus include conflict analysis and resolution, human rights, development and human security. KSPS students also benefit greatly from the school’s two practice-oriented institutes – the Institute for Peace & Justice and the Trans-Border Institute.

School of Law is recognized for the excellence of its faculty, depth of its curriculum, and strength of its clinical programs, Each year, USD educates approximately 900 Juris Doctor and graduate law students from throughout the United States and the world. The law school's faculty is a strong group of outstanding scholars and teachers with national and international reputations. The school is a member of the Order of the Coif, a national honor society for law school graduates. The Law School is best known for its offerings in the areas of business and corporate law, constitutional law, intellectual property, international and comparative law, public interest and taxation.

School of Leadership and Education Sciences prepares educators and leaders to serve a diverse society by focusing on human dignity and the quality of life. The school granted the university’s first degree, a Master's of Education, in 1960, and it established the nation’s first doctoral program in leadership studies in 1979. Our alumni are pioneers in fostering curricular innovation and teaching excellence. In 2009, USD's 60th anniversary year, the school was ranked among the top 100 universities in graduate education programs for the second year in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Academic Programs

USD offers 41 bachelor's degrees, several with areas of specialization, 49 minors, which can be taken in conjunction with various majors, 34 master's degrees, the JD and five LLM degrees, several dual degree programs, and three doctoral degrees – two in nursing and one in leadership studies.